Bedclothes lifting and supporting device



Sept. 23, 1952 R. T. ECKLUND 2,611,139

' BEDCLOTHES LIFTING AND SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed April 5, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l K4 17 l0 v 27 1 /4 1e 27 2e 26 F/ .6- /G.2

' INVENTOR.

RUDOLPH ZEcKL (1ND A TTagNE YJ Sept. 1952 R. T. ECKLUND 2,611,139-

BEDCLOTHES LIF'TING AND SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed April 5, 1948 1 '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H INVENTOR.

ATTOENE vs Sept. 23, 1952" R. T. ECKLUND BEDCLOTHES LIFTING AND SUPPORTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 5, 1948 INVENTOR.

Zfcm. UND

AT-ro ENE Sept. 23, 1952 R. T. ECKLUND BEDCLOTHES LIFTING AND SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed April 5, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. RUDOLPH 725cm. uwo m a W ATTQE/XEYJH Patented Sept. 23, 1952 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEDCLOTHES LIFTING AND SUPPORTING DEVICE Rudolph 'r. Ecklund, Aitkin, Minn;

" Application April 5, 1948, Serial No. 18,967

3C1aims. (01,, 5-319) Thisinvention relates to anew and novel device adapted for use in connection with conventional beds for upwardly lifting and supporting the upper bedclothes out'of contact with the bottom sheet usually placed directly over the mattress, thereby to relieve the feet or other por tions of the body of an individual reposing in the bed of the weight of the bedding or bedclothes, which may at times be uncomfortable.

It is well known that some individuals have a tendency towards restlessness upon retiring at night whereby they may not be able to drop off to restful slumber for sometime after retiring. There are also individuals who suffer lack of sleep at night because of being more or less sensitive to the pressure imposed upon the body, particularly the feet, by the weight of the usual bedding or bedclothes placed over the individuals body. It is usually customary to tuck the bedding under the mattress at the foot end of the bed to retain the bedding in place thereon, and if ones feet are located close to the foot end of the bed, it may readily be understood that under such conditions the bedclothes may readily exert an uncomfortable restraining pressure upon the feet, particularly if the individual should attempt to lie on his back with his toes directed upwardly. Some individuals also desire rather heavy bedclothes during the winter season which may further add to the discomfort of the individual as a result of the added weight placed upon the feet or other portions of the body at night.

I have discovered from actual experience that by supportingthetop bedding at an elevation above the individuals body, particularly at the foot of the bed, whereby oompleteffreedom of movement is provided for the individuals feet, the average individual will, in most cases quickly assume a relaxed state upon retiring, which is conducive of sleep and may cause the individual bedding or bedclothes of a conventional bed to thereby support such bedding out of direct contact with a sleepers body, particularly his feet, and whereby the sleepers feet may be afforded complete freedom to move about at willwithout restraint, and without being subjected to the weight or pressure of the bedding thereon, which may be. found to be extremely uncomfortable under certain conditions.

:Afuture object of the invention, resides in the provision of a simple inexpensive bedclotheslifting device which is so constructed that it may readily be applied to a conventional bed to support the bedding in an elevated position, when desired,and when not required, may be lowered to an inoperative position whereby it may be concealed beneath the bedding so as not to detract from the appearance of the bed during the time the bed is not in use.

A further object is to provide a device of the class described comprising a member adapted to be positioned over a portion of a bed beneath the top bedclothes, and having means at its ends for adjustably securing it to the ends of the bedstead or bedspring, whereby the cross member may be raised or lowered to any desired position to support the bedding out of contact with a portion of an individuals body such as the feet.

A further object'is to provide a bedclotheslifting device comprising an arch-shaped member including a horizontal portion adapted to be positioned beneath the top bedclothes of the bed and the bottom-0r mattress sheet thereof, and said member having downwardly extending spaced legsioperatively connectedto suitable supporting devices, one at each side of the bed, having means for clampingly securing them to the side rails of the bed or the bedsprings, whereby the archshaped member may be swung upwardly to an upright operative position to lift the bedclothes upwardly out of contact with the bedor mattress sheet, to relieve a sl'eepers body of the weight of the bedclothes,. and also whereby when the bed is not in use, said arch-shaped member may be swung downwardly with its horizontal portion construction whereby it may be economically manufactured in quantity production at low cost; and in the provision of a bedclothes lifting and supporting device which is so constructed that it may readily and quickly be applied to a bed by an inexperienced person.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional type-ofbed with an individual reposing thereon, and the invention being shown applied to the foot end of the bed and positioned to lift the bedding or bedclothes out of direct contact with the individuals feet;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 4, showing the device clampingly secured to side rails of a conventional bedspring and the arch-shaped bedding-engaging member being swung upwardly to an operative position, and having the lower terminals of its spaced side legs received in sockets pro vided in the supporting arms;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the clamping means at the near or opposite side of the bed and the arch-shaped member being swung downwardly to an inoperative position;

Figure 4 is a view showing the arch-shaped member supported over a bed;

Figure 5 is a detail view of the arch-shaped member detached from its supporting arms;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6I5 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a supporting arm having means for attaching it to the upper side rail of a bedspring and wherein the side rails of the bedspring are cylindrical in cross section,

as illustrated in Figure 8;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 88 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view showing a simplified form of supporting arm wherein the outer end of the arm is not vertically adjustable, as in the construction illustrated in the previous figures;

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the line I0--I 0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view showing a supporting arm similar to the one illustrated in Figures 2 and 3,

but adapted for mounting directly upon the side rails of a bedstead and not on the side rails of the bedspring;

Figure 12 is an end view of Figure 11 illustrating the clamping elements for detachably securand the bedspring, and which is particularly applicable for use in connection with box type bedsprings which do not have opposed side ra ls;

Figure 14 is an end view of one side of Figure 13 showing the supporting frame interposed between the mattress and the boxspring; and

Figure 15 is a view showing a bedclothes-engaging member comprising telescoping tubular sections whereby the member may be longitudinally adjusted to beds of different widths.

In the selected embodiment of the invention herein disclosed there'is'illustrated in Figure 1, for purposes of disclosure, a conventional bedstead comprising the usual head 2, foot end 3, and side rails 4, having their ends detachably secured'to the head and foot ends of the bed, as is well known. The usual bedspring, generally designated by the numeral 5, is supported upon the side rails 4 of the bed in any well known manner,-and is shown provided with upper and lower side rails indiciated at 6 and I in Figure 1. The mattress 8 is shown supported directly upon the bedspring 5 and may be covered with a bottom or mattress sheet, as is well known, upon which an individual lies when reposing in the bed, as shown in Figure 1.

The novel means herein disclosed for lifting the bedclothes 9 out of direct contact with a portion of an individuals body as, for example, his feet I I, is shown comprising an arch-shaped member, generally designated by the numeral I2, having an upper horizontal portion I3 and downwardly directed legs I4--I4. The member I2 may be constructed as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, wherein it will be noted the side legs I4 may be formed of a suitable metal such as cast aluminum, and the upper horizontal bar I3 may be of wood or any other suitable material having its ends suitably secured to the legs I4, as shown.

The member I 2 is adapted to be supported over the bed in an upright position, as shown in Figures l and 2, whereby it will upwardly lift and support the bedding at an elevation above the individuals feet when the feet are positioned with the toes directed upwardly.

To thus support the member I2 over the bed, suitable supporting arms I5 are detachably secured to the sides of the mattress or bedstead, as illustrated in the application drawings. In the form shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the arms I5 are shown designed for attachment to the upper side rails 6 of a bedspring, and wherein said side rails are of angle iron cross-section, as best illustrated in Figure 4. Each supporting arm I5 is shown having a socket member I6 pivotally mounted at its outer end by a suitable pivot pin or screw IT. The socket members I6 are open at both ends, and when they are vertically disposed as illustrated in Figure 2, the lower terminals I8 of the legs I I of the archshaped member I2 may be inserted through said socket members and into fixed sockets I9 provided in the outer ends of the arms I5, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

The fixed sockets I9 retain the arch-shaped member I2 in its upright operative position, shown in Figures 1 and 2. When it is desired to lower the member I2 to its inoperative position, shown in Figure 3, the member I2 is slightly elevated relative to the socket members I6 to thereby lift the lower terminals I8 of its legs I4 out of the fixed sockets I9 of the arms I 5, whereupon the member I2 may be swung downwardly to its inoperative position shown in Figure 3, without disturbing the adjustment or positions of the supporting arms I5. If desired, the arch-shaped vmember I2 may be completely removed from the bed by simply ,lifting the terminals of its legs rromthe socket members 16.; whereby-theorem shapeilzmember mayhestored away man outzot the way place,.las wili be-understoodiby reference. t .Figure; 51. l The lower endstof thesuppor gq-arms: l5 are preferably pivotally mounted uporntherbedspring 51' or: 'uponith'e: bedstead, whereby the.- outer ends :are'providedattheirlower ends-witlrspacedlegs 134 to each of which is pivotally connected.- a. clamping: element; 26,. similar to thejclamplng elements shown. in Figure; 4-,. Clamping screws 35 anaproyidedin the spacecllegs"3Av for securing the: elements; to the; side. rails 6 of." the bedspring,

with circumierentially spaced. corrugations or:

radical teeth 28; asillustrated in Figures 7 and,8, thereby to positively retain the arms in adjusted position when the adjusting hand; Wheels: 23; are tightened, as will be understood by reference to Figure '8. The hand wheels 23 are received. in threaded engagement with pivotbolts 24' having their headed ends received in suitable apertures provided in the mounting brackets "21.

The brackets 2 are shown provided with spaced legs 25 each of which pivotally supports a small clamping element 26 comprisinga clamping screw 21. Th clampin elements zfiand screws 21 are adapted to engage. the angle side rails 6 of'the bedspring, as best illustrated in Figure4 whereby the supporting arms [5. may be conveniently secured to the bedspring, and also whereby their positions lengthwise of the spring may readilybe varied to position the arch-shaped member l2 at any desired point'alongthelength of the bed. The small clamping elements 26- are shown pivotally connected to the supporting brackets 2| to allow'relative'pivotal movement of th Supporting arms 15 in an outward direction, as indicated by the dotted lines in therig-hthand side of Figure 4, thereby to provide ample roomat each side of the mattress 8 for making the bed or arranging the 'bedclothes' thereon In some bedsprings the side and end rails thereof'are cylindrical in cross section, as illustrated at 28' in Figured. When the bedding lifter herein disclosed is to be mounted upon such a bedspring, a U-shaped member 29, best illus' trated in Figure '7, has its spacedlegs 31 secured to the clamping elements '26 mounted in the v '2 "spaced-legs '2-5 of the mounting brackets 2| by inserting the terminals of said legs-into suitable sockets at 32 in Figures 7 and 8. The U-shaped member 29 may be a relatively light-weight rod and is adapted to be interposed between the spring and mattress to thereby prevent the clampin elements 26 from relatively rotating upon the cylindrical side rails 28" of the bed spring, as will readily be understood'by'reference to Figure 8. If desired, a pair of independent rods not shown, may be substituted for-the U- shaped member 29.

* Figures 9 and 10 illustratea device which is relatively simpler in construction than the deviceshown in Figures 2 and 3, in that nomeans 1 is provided for vertically adjusting the position of the arch-shaped member l2 with respect to the top of the mattress '8'.

As'best illustrated in Figure 9, thesupporting arms, generally designated by the numeral 33.

'as shown. Theupperor outer: end portionsof: the

supporting arms 33.. are shown constructed-in. a manner similar to the "supporting arms illustrated-in Figures 2 and; 3-, and the'partsthereof will; therefore be referred to by likenumerals. The: supporting armsshown in. Figure 9 function in identically the same manner asthe arms 15., when; in operative position, and they; arexshown adapted. .for: mounting on a bedsprin'ghaving upper angle iron side rails.

Figure t2. the device is shown applied. to abed equippedcwith aboiospringtfi, whereby-the supporting armsot the bedding lifter cannot-be secured directly to the 'bedspring. Insuch cases the supporting arms iE'may be mounted directly upon thesiderails. .3?! of the bedstead,v and to accomplish this, auxiliary clamping elements 38 are shown pivotallyconnectedto the spaced; legs 25 of the mounting brackets 2| in lieu of the clamping elements 26, shown in Figures 8 and. 10.

Each auxiliary clamping element 33 is shown provided with a pair of fixed jaws. 39 which may be integrally connected or tied together by a web ea. shown in: Figure .11'. Complementa-l jaws; '41 are movably mounted upon the fixed jaws 39, and cooperate therewith to. clampingly engage the upper edges of the side rails 31 0f the bed. Clam-ping screws 42- are shown mounted in the fixed jaws 38 for; actuating the movable jaws, as will readily be. understood byreferencetoFigures: 11 and 12. The supporting; arms 15 when mounted upon thesiderailsj3l off a bed equipped with a box spring 36, as above described, may be manipulated in identically the same manner :as the supporting arms l5 oi the-form illustrated .in Figures 1, 2 and 3. I

In figures- 13 and la, there is illustrated another method of mounting the supporting: arms $5 of the bedding lifter upon a bed equipped with a box spring and mattress and wherein the side rails of the bedstead may not be suitably located or constructed. to support the supporting arm's.

Inthe form. shown in Figures 1.3 and 1.4, the mounting brackets H of the supporting arms [5 are shown pivotally mounted upon spaced lugs '43 provided on the endmembers 44 of arelative- 1y light frame, preferably composed of wooden slats oristrips secured together at theirendsby suitable;- meta-llic end. members 44' by such means :asyscrews or rivets '46.: The open skeleton frame thus provided. is: adapted to be interposed "between the mattress 8 and the box spring 36,v as; illustrated inv Figure 14., whereby the supporting arms 15 of the device may be .pivotally-supported on the: bed in proper relation to the size of themattress, as. will. be understood by reference to Figme 14;, Theslats '45 of the skeleton frame are of such length as to properly position the support-' ing arms: IS; with respect to thes'ides of themattress.

In Figure. 15 there is illustrated an archshaped member, generally designated by the: nu:- meral 41, comprisingtubular sections 18" and 49 havingrtheirtupper horizontal portions telescopingly engaged with one another whereby said member is adapted for longitudinal adjustment to vary the length of the member 41 in accordance to thew-idth of the bed to which it i's'tobe applied; The end'portion's of the tubular-sections and 49 are curved downwardly; and terminal elements 5| are secured thereto adapted to be received in the socket members IS in a manner similar to the spaced legs of the arch-shaped member shown in Figure 3.. The terminal elements 5| may be provided with cylindrical extensions'adapted to be received in the lower ends of their respective tubular sections 48 and!!! and secured therein by welding or by suitable rivets. If desired,.the arch-shaped member 41 may be covered with a suitable fabric, not shown, to protect the individuals feet from directly contacting the metal of said member. In like manner, the intermediate portion of the arch-shaped member l2 may be covered-with a suitable fabric. if desired. J 1

In the drawings I have shown the supporting arms [5, mounting brackets 2|, and the clamping elements as being constructed of cast metal as, for example, aluminum. In like manner, the spaced legs M of the arch-shaped member I2 are shown of cast metal. It is also to be understood that these parts may be otherwise constructed if desired without departing from the'scope of the invention.

In the specification, the invention has been described as being used in connection with a bedstead and a mattress. It is to be understood that these terms are used in a broad sense and intended to apply to other articles or surfaces upon which an individual may lie or repose when seeking rest and slumber, and to which the invention may be applied for the purpose herein disclosed.

The novel bedding lifter herein disclosed has been found very practical in actual use and may be applied to most conventional forms and types of bedsteads. The supporting arms l5 and their mounting brackets 2| are very compact and do not project outwardly from the mattress but what'they may readily be concealed beneath the bedding when the bed is made up. By securing the mounting brackets 2| to the side rails 6 of the bed spring adequate space is provided between the supporting arms and the sides and foot end of the bed spring to permit the usual bed sheets and other bedding to be tucked under the end of the mattress as is common.

When the bed is made up, as when not in use, the arch-shaped member I2 is preferably swung downwardly to its inoperative position, shown in Figure 3, whereby said arch-shaped member, in most instances, will not mar the appearance of the bed. The arch-shaped member I2 is so positioned in the bed when in its inoperative position that an individual, upon retiring, may readily swing said member upwardly into its upright operative position by engaging the upper horizontal bar thereof with a foot and shoving it downwardly towards the foot of the bed to the position shown in Figure 1 with the feet, as will be understood. If desired, the member l2 may be swung upwardly into operating position before retiring by inserting an arm under the bed covers and manually swinging it upwardly to the position shown in Figure 1. A flange I is preferably provided on the outer end of each arm l adapted to be engaged by the terminals of the legs of the arch-shaped member I 2 to prevent the legs M of said member from axially moving in the guides l6 when they are engaged by an individual for the purpose of swinging the member upwardly into operative position. It is to be understood that when the archshaped member is in its operative position, the te mi a 89i it s a d e s. wi l-drop i t the fixed sockets I 9 in the supporting arms I! whereby the supporting member II will be locked inits operative position beneath the bedding. The novel bedding lifter herein disclosed, when inoperative position; supports the bedding at the foot of the bed in a tent-like manner-over the feet; whereby the feet are provided complete freedo'mfrom the weight of the bed covers and also'whe'reby they are free to move about without restraint from the bedding. Actual experience has proven that by relieving the feet of the weight of the bed clothes wherebythe feet may be freely moved about without restraint, tends to stimulate blood circulation, an, as a consequence, individuals who frequently .have difficulty in keeping their feet warm 'at. night may find complete relief from such afliiction by the use of the novel invention herein disclosed. Individuals suffering with hot, burning feet may also find relief at night by relieving the feet of the weight of the bedding.

It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal objects of my invention, and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed'and modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a bedstead comprising a spring provided with suitable side rails and having a mattress and bedclothes supported on the spring, a pair of mounting brackets having means for securing them to the side rails of the bedspring, a supporting arm pivotally secured to each mounting bracket, a socket member pivoted to the outer end of each supporting arm, an arch-shaped member having a horizontal portion adapted to be positioned beneath the bedclothes and having spaced legs having their terminal portions received in said pivotally mounted socket members, thereby to pivotally support the arch-shaped member upon said arms, said pivotally supported socket members permitting the arch-shaped member to be supported in upright operative bedclothes-lifting position when the bed is to be occupied, and means operable in connection with said pivoted socket members for locking the arch-shaped member in operative position.

2. In combination with a bedstead comprising a spring provided with suitable side rails and having a mattress and bedclothes supported on the spring, a pair of mounting brackets having means for securing them to the side rails of the bedspring, a supporting arm pivotally secured to each mounting bracket and each provided at its outer end with a fixed socket, a socket member pivoted to the outer end of each supporting arm andadapted to be swung into alignment with the fixed sockets in said arms, an arch-shaped member having a horizontal portion adapted to .be positioned beneath the bedclothes, said member having spaced legs, the terminals of which are adapted to be received in said pivotally mounted socket members to there- ;by pivotally support the arch-shaped member upon said arms, said pivotally supported socket 9 position whereby the terminals of its legs may engage in said fixed sockets and thereby lock the arch-shaped member in position to support a' portion of the bedclothes at an elevation above the mattress.

3. In a device of the class described, a pair of supporting arms, clamping elements, for mounting said arms on the side rails of a bedspring, an arch-shaped member removably and pivotally supported on the outer ends of said arms and adapted to be engaged with the top bedclothes of a bed and support it in elevated position above the usual mattress of the bed to pro vide freedom of movement for a portion of an individuals body reposing on the mattress, and means carried by said clamping elements adapted to be inserted between the mattress and the bed-' spring to thereby prevent relative rotation of the clamping elements upon the side rails of the bedspring.

RUDOLPH T. ECKLUND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,210,255 Peevey Aug. 6, 1940 2,235,191 Arnould Mar. 18, 19 41 2,291,203 Bent--- July 28, 1942 2,398,731 Voss Apr. 16, 1946 2,401,999 Wolfe June 11, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 111,326 Australia Aug. 22, 1940 

